Squash New Zealand Independent Board Member Vacancies

Squash New Zealand is seeking to appoint three board members due to the expiry of the terms of current board members. Whilst current members may seek re-election there is a minimum of one board seat to fill.

Purpose and context

Squash is a fantastic, healthy sport that can be played casually or competitively around the clock and across the country. The vision for the sport is “New Zealanders enjoying squash from grassroots to excelling on the world stage”. This starts with New Zealanders choosing squash in their communities – kids and adults, leisure and competitive players, new comers and old hands – trying it, playing it and loving it. Squash enables healthy people and healthy communities.

Leading the sport is the Squash NZ national office which is overseen/governed by the Squash NZ board. The board consists of four elected members and three appointed members. All three of our current appointed board members terms are due to expire over the coming months. For this purpose we are seeking to appoint three board members to fill the appointed member vacancies.

The Board’s key areas of focus over the next two years includes uniting the sport by ensuring national office and the 11 squash districts are all connected and unified – (Kotahitanga). Our strategic priorities are:-

Enhance the promotion of Squash in New Zealand,
Driving programs to introduce new people to squash,
Focus on the development of squash coaches; and
End to end player and referee pathways, from Amateur through to professional/high performance

This is a chance to give to a sport and a genuine opportunity to ‘make a difference’, especially to a diverse range of people across New Zealand. Squash is currently enjoying international success with our top women’s and men’s players performing in the top rankings globally

For more information on the organisation, please visit https://www.squashnz.co.nz/

Person Specification

We’re looking for a variety of skills between the new appointees. These include:

•      Governance experience, preferably in a non for profit or sporting environment
•      Financial acumen; being able to understand the financial reports and impacts on the sport.
•      Change management experience, especially around organisation structure and systems implementation.
•      Legal or commercial contracts experience.
•      Marketing and branding with experience in social media.
•      Personal traits of our successful board members will include:
•                 Enthusiasm for the sport and the time and commitment to contribute
•                 Natural networking, people and communication skills, from grass roots to highest levels of the game
•                 Humour and optimism
•                 Cultural/diversity awareness
•                 An understanding of the significance of and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including how to apply Te Tiriti principles in a meaningful way
•                 Enjoy working as part of a team
•                 Able to focus on high level board issues and not be drawn into operations

The role is open to individuals living throughout New Zealand – we particularly encourage people who can represent the diversity that is present across the sport.

Time commitment and term

Ten half-day board meetings are held each year, alternating between in person and online (Teams). Other commitments outside of board meeting preparation and attendance includes possible subcommittee responsibilities, AGM participation, Squash NZ forum attendance and generally being connected to the sport.

Interviews will be a combination of online and face to face.

We anticipate the roles starting in June/July 2023 for a term of 2 or 3 years (appointment tenure may be staggered).

Remuneration

The roles are not remunerated but travel and accommodation expenses are paid. D&O insurance is in place for all board members.

To Apply

For further information on the role please contact David Hawes - dhawes@xtra.co.nz or 021 669134

To express interest or apply for the role please apply to admin@squashnz.co.nz

The closing date for applications is Friday 26th May 2023 at 5pm.